Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-10-20

customer.
And that's where you're right,
WalterP added the little bright-eyed
impulsive wife, emphatically.
And there the conversation dropped,
as 1t was time for bed.
It was early in May that the work.
men came on to commence operations
upon Mr.. Clarke's place. The FORE
man or contractor, Mr.. John Towne,
was an architect and builder Of New
York, and under his supervision
things were pushed. By the first
week OF June the last Of the old house
had been torn away and carted of,
aud the carpenters were beginning on
the new structure. Mr.. Clarke him.
self was not expected until, later in
the season. He had a great deal of
business to settle up. and he wanted to
leave it all behind him--done with
when he left New York.
One day during the second week in
June, very warm, sunshiny day,
shortly before noon,. a man. a stranger
entered Blanford's store in haste. He
was eager, and spoke quickly, but
with perfect politeness:
MY good sir, will you let me have
a pound of twenty penny nails as soon
as you CAM
Walter was behind tue counter, and
the nail kegs were directly under his
nose. He looked the man over coolly,
and with touch of contempt in his
manner. Who was it that asked of
him pound of twenty penny nails,
and expected him to hurry about it?
He beheld an elderly mana man
who reminded him of old Shackford
at once, in pair of blue overalls, and
in his shirt sleeves, with an old straw
hat on his iron-gray head.
My dear sir, said the applicant, as
the trader thus started at him, without
offering to serve him, i wish you
would attend to my want; | am in
haste
| We'll, said Blanford, who had been
exceedingly fretted by his last GUS
toner, a woman who had purchased
paper of pins and spool of sewing cot
ton, and had kept him busy fifteen
minutes over the transaction, my very
dear sir. your want shall be attended
to; but | don't propose to hurry fol-
anybody. Herel Aren't you going.
to wait for your nails? 0, WE'LL
Away you go! | wonder who It's,
anyway
The man in the blue overalls hur-
RED out from the store and made his
way to the upper end Of the village, to
the store of Peter Larkin, where he
got his nails, presumably At all
events, little later he passed the
larger store on his return, with a
brown paper parcel in his hand
Walter ran to the door to see which
way he went.
Horrorsl He turned up towards
the place where the big mansion was
being built! Could he be one of Mr..
|Towne's workmen? He had not look.
ed like mechanic. He was soon to
know, however.
On his way to the tavern to dinner
Mr.. Towne stopped in at the store.
There was trouble in his face.
'Blanford! what in the world did
you say to the old man2
The old mani gasped Walter, turn,
ing pale. What old man7'
'Why, my old man, to be sure. We
had raised heavy piece Of staging,
and three of US were holding it in
place for another to nail it up; but,
come TO look, we hadn't nail large
enough. Upon that, the old man
asked me if we'd hold it while he ran
and procured nails. | told HIM yes,
and away he went He started to
come here. Did you see him?'
s'Mr. Towne, who--who--is your old
man?
why, bless you'll Mr.. Clarke He's
been here since night before last, and
he's taken right hold Of the work. He
likes it. It agrees with, Eh?
Walter Blanford had ceased to
listen. He stood the picture Of horror
and despair.
Good heavensl Towne! What can
dor
All, you snubbed him, did you?
He was in a hurry, and you didn't
like it?' @
Yes, something like that
i tell you, frankly, Blanford, your
worst failing is your impatience. That
wont do for one that looks to the
public for support. He should be
prepared to put up with everything
short of downright insult.
sBut. Mr.. Townel--O! tell me what
can do? ! can't afford to lose Mr..
Clarke's friendship.
It'll be sore thing for you if you
do. But my advice is, 60 TO him.
Acknowledge your error; do it man
fully, and ask his pardon; and, lastly,
promise him that you will strive to
break yourself Of the habit. II you
will do this, I have no doubt you will
win his forgiveness, and his friend
ship with it..
/ And Walter Blanford did it He
/ did il that very evening, In the old